Jeter, 38, is recovering from a broken ankle suffered in last year's ALCS. Doctors, last week, discovered a small crack in the area of his previous injury. He was originally hoping to be ready for opening day. Then he was eyeing a May 1 return. On Thursday, Jeter just told reporters "soon."

"I'm not giving a timeline. Last timeline I set I didn't make. I don't want to disappoint myself ... I have a lot of confidence that the bone is going to heal and I'll be back out there playing again."

Jeter is wearing a walking boot these days, but didn't wear it to the press conference. Doctors previously told Jeter he didn't need another surgery, just time for his ankle to fully heal.

Without Jeter, the Yankees — also missing Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira — are 11-9 and in third place in the AL East.